Wetland Habitat

The Humber, one of Britain's largest estuaries, supports abundant life. Wildfowl occur in great numbers, whilst the mud of the foreshore and offshore banks exposed at low tide support teeming wading birds.

In winter dunlin, ringed and grey plover, redshank, knot and bar-tailed godwit all feed on the mudflats at low tide. In May and August passage waders such as curlew sandpiper and whimbrel occur, whilst black-tailed godwit and oystercatcher have been frequent visitors in recent winters.

The upper shore is clothed in saltmarsh with cord-grass, sea plantain, scurvy grass and sea aster. There are also areas of common reed. Kingfishers are frequent here in winter and mixed flocks of finches may be seen feeding on the seeds of the saltmarsh plants.

Freshwater lakes are important for wildlife, and the clay pits provide some substitute for the great wetlands of Lincolnshire lost through drainage. The water at Far Ings is rich in microscopic life which provides food for many invertebrates, which in turn support fish such as eel, roach, rudd and perch. Heron, grebes and kingfisher prey on the fish.

Many duck – including mallard, pochard and tufted duck – nest on the islands and margins. In winter many more wildfowl live here, including wigeon, teal, goldeneye and gadwall, goosander and occasionally smew. Great crested grebe, little grebe and water rail also nest.